Publication Date

1989

Description

Ethiopia has great variations in relief with large areas of lowlands below 1.000 m, extensive plateaus at altitudes of 1 500 to 2 000 m and highlands with cultivation extending to about 3 000 m. Rainfall generally increases with altitude and is higher in the western and south central regions. Ethiopian environments can be classified as sub-humid in much of south­central and western zones, semi-arid in the south, the central Rift Valley and the northern highlands, arid in the eastern lowl­ands and humid around Jimma in the south central region. The strong effect of altitude on temperature results in temperate environmental conditions above 2 000 m, sub-tropical from 1 000 m to 2 000 m and tropical below 1 000 m. Almost all forage research has been undertaken in the southern, central area of Ethiopia and the early work of Ibrahim (Ibrahim and Orodho, 1983) is representative of the type research undertaken. The main national organization responsible for forage resarch is the Institute of Agricultural Research which has its forage research centred on Holetta and Asella in the temperate highlands, and Bako in the sub-humid sub-tropical zone. Smaller satellite research sites extend the environmental range of these main stations. Research has also been undertaken by the Junior Agricultural Colleges at Jimma (sub-tropical humid) and Ambo (sub-tropical sub-humid), the Universities of Asmara (semi-arid highland and sub-tropical) and Alemaya College (sub-humid sub-tropical). The International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA) has been involved in forage research since its inception in 1976 in the sub-humid temperate zone and more recently in the sub-humid and semi-arid sub-tropics where the emphasis has been on the initial evaluation and description of the extensive forage germplasm collection held by the ILCA Gene bank. Extension of research results has been the task of the Ministry of Agriculture and through its agents demonstration and evaluation plantings have been established throughout the country. Assessment of promising forages has also been undertaken by various branches of such organiz­ations as the Ministry of State Farms, Soil and Water Conser­vation, as well as a number of non-government aid and devel­opment programmes. The activities of the Forage Network in Ethiopia have done much to promote research, development and utilization of forages as it promotes communication and cooperation among the various organizations involved in forages.

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Recommended Forages for Ethiopian Environments and Current Strategies for Utilization

Ethiopia has great variations in relief with large areas of lowlands below 1.000 m, extensive plateaus at altitudes of 1 500 to 2 000 m and highlands with cultivation extending to about 3 000 m. Rainfall generally increases with altitude and is higher in the western and south central regions. Ethiopian environments can be classified as sub-humid in much of south­central and western zones, semi-arid in the south, the central Rift Valley and the northern highlands, arid in the eastern lowl­ands and humid around Jimma in the south central region. The strong effect of altitude on temperature results in temperate environmental conditions above 2 000 m, sub-tropical from 1 000 m to 2 000 m and tropical below 1 000 m. Almost all forage research has been undertaken in the southern, central area of Ethiopia and the early work of Ibrahim (Ibrahim and Orodho, 1983) is representative of the type research undertaken. The main national organization responsible for forage resarch is the Institute of Agricultural Research which has its forage research centred on Holetta and Asella in the temperate highlands, and Bako in the sub-humid sub-tropical zone. Smaller satellite research sites extend the environmental range of these main stations. Research has also been undertaken by the Junior Agricultural Colleges at Jimma (sub-tropical humid) and Ambo (sub-tropical sub-humid), the Universities of Asmara (semi-arid highland and sub-tropical) and Alemaya College (sub-humid sub-tropical). The International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA) has been involved in forage research since its inception in 1976 in the sub-humid temperate zone and more recently in the sub-humid and semi-arid sub-tropics where the emphasis has been on the initial evaluation and description of the extensive forage germplasm collection held by the ILCA Gene bank. Extension of research results has been the task of the Ministry of Agriculture and through its agents demonstration and evaluation plantings have been established throughout the country. Assessment of promising forages has also been undertaken by various branches of such organiz­ations as the Ministry of State Farms, Soil and Water Conser­vation, as well as a number of non-government aid and devel­opment programmes. The activities of the Forage Network in Ethiopia have done much to promote research, development and utilization of forages as it promotes communication and cooperation among the various organizations involved in forages.